The DSU Quality Enhancement Plan, the Division of Social Sciences and History, and the DSU Archives Department will present a public presentation on “The Mississippi Encyclopedia” on Aug. 31 at noon in the seminar room of the Charles W. Capps, Jr. Archives & Museum.

The presentation will provide a concise compilation of people, places and events from prehistoric times through today.

Featured speakers include: Dr. Ted Ownby, professor of history and southern studies at the University of Mississippi and director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture; Dr. Chuck Westmoreland, associate professor of history at Delta State; and Emily Jones, Delta State archivist.

The trio will discuss Ownby’s most recent publication, “The Mississippi Encyclopedia,” a large collaboration that includes over 1,600 entries, 1,451 pages, and features more than 700 scholars who wrote entries on every state county, every governor and numerous musicians, writers, artists and activists.

The work is the first encyclopedia treatment of the state since 1907.

“I was excited when Dr. Ownby reached out to me in the spring about DSU hosting this event,” said Michelle Johansen, QEP coordinator. “Our campus and community will be amazed by the breadth of this book. I’m proud of the number of current and former DSU scholars who made valuable contributions to the encyclopedia.”

The volume will appeal to anyone wanting to know more about Mississippi and the people who call it home. It will be especially helpful to students, teachers and researching scholars.